SUNDAY….
All Saints’ Day, 10am: We celebrate this holy day by remembering the faithful departed; renewing of our baptismal vows; and, at our 10am All-Ages Worship, with kids dressed as famous saints.
“Holy Dying: Advance Planning from a Christian Perspective,” 9am: All are welcome to a conversation about end-of-life preparation from a spiritual and practical perspective.
Remembrance Station: Our Remembrance Station hangs in our nave for the month of November. Consider bringing in a copy of a photo, note, or other token of one of those whom you remember with love, as an extension of our All Saints commemorations. On Sunday, November 22, we will commend these faithful departed to Christ our King.
Kids’ Pledge Drive: This Sunday, the kids of St. Dunstan’s are asked to make their pledges to the church – a pledge to participate, learn, wonder, make friends, help out, and grow as God’s people. We will also have Christmas ornaments made by the children of St. Dunstan’s available, for a suggested donation of $1 each, as the kids’ contribution to our fundraising this fall.
Healing Prayer, Birthday and Anniversary Blessings: As is our custom on the first Sunday of the month, one of our ministers will offer healing prayers for those who wish to receive prayers for themselves or on behalf of others. Also, birthdays and anniversaries will be honored. Come forward after the Announcements to receive a blessing and the community’s prayers.
MOM Special Offering: This Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Groceries are welcome gifts too. MOM is always in need of quality used bedding items and towels. Thank you for all your support!
Backpack Snack Prep, 11:30am: The people of St. Dunstan’s are invited to help prepare “Backpack Snack Packs” to help local school children from low-income households to have nutritious snacks available over the weekend, following the 10am service.
Webcast of the Installation of the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry as the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Sunday, Nov. 1, following the 10am service: We plan to turn on the livestream of the service in our Meeting Room, as soon as our own liturgy concludes.
The Rev. Sybil Robinson is a much-beloved elder of our parish, an Episcopal deacon, and a retired professor of theater and drama. Sybil has proclaimed the Gospel faithfully for us for many years, even at the age of ninety. However, shortness of breath and other difficulties sometimes make the longer Gospel passages a challenge for Sybil. Starting this month, Sybil will proclaim the Gospel when the text is relatively short, and Rev. Miranda will fill in on other occasions. Please thank Sybil for the blessing of her beautiful and well-trained voice, all these years!
Evening Eucharist, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins.
HELP WANTED…
Help Feed the Students, Sunday, November 8: St. Dunstan’s is providing dinner for the St. Francis House community, our Episcopal chaplaincy, on Sunday the 8th. Sign up in the Gathering Area to help out! We are asked to provide food for up to 15 people, and we’re invited to attend worship with the students at 5pm. Rev. Miranda will be in touch to work out whether you want to drop off your food Sunday morning, or deliver it yourself. The students thank you!
Needed – Ushers for the 2nd Sunday and 5th Sunday in November: If you are able to help out with ushering on the 2nd or 5th Sunday this month, please let Pamela in the office know at (608) 238-2781. We are also looking for help on the 2nd Sundays from December through May (Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, Mar. 13, Apr 10 and May 8). If you can usher one or more of those Sundays, let us know. Thanks!
Black Friday Craft-In, Friday, November 28, 1 – 4pm, St. Dunstan’s Church: This year we’ll host our second annual Black Friday Craft-In, a free public crafting event. If you’ll be in town and would like to volunteer to help out, please sign up in the Gathering Area or email Rev. Miranda at . We can use all kinds of volunteers – whether your skill is sewing, stamping, paper crafting, saying “Welcome!”, setting up tables, or putting cookies on plates.
THE WEEKS AHEAD….
Budget & Finances Listening Session, Sunday, November 8, 9am: Do you have questions or ideas about our parish’s finances or our Draft 2016 Budget? Come meet with the Rector, Treasurer, and other church leaders between services. All are welcome.
Sunday School, Sunday, November 8, 10am: Next week, our 3-5 year old class will learn about the building of the first Temple, while the older class will explore the story of the generous widow.
Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, November 8, 11:45am: All who seek meaning in the journey of parenthood (at any age or stage) are welcome to come for food and conversation. Child care and a simple meal provided.
Wednesday morning women’s book group, every Wednesday, 9:30 – 11am: Starting this Wednesday, October 28th, the group is starting a new book, recommended by Father David Couper, called “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. If you need a book, please contact the office at (608) 238-2781. Come and read along, enjoy snacks and lively conversation, that is sometimes even about the book!
Annual Meeting of the St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church Women, Sunday, November 8: St. Dunstan’s has a very loosely organized Episcopal Church Women group (“ECW”) which has an official 20 minute meeting once a year to plan a couple events. The agenda is quite simple – 1. Decide where to go for the annual “Day Away” for the women of the parish, involving lunch and a little shopping at a destination not far from the church. 2. Decide where to have the Epiphany Lunch, usually is on a Saturday close to January 6th. 3. Decide whether and how to use the ECW’s funds. Join us in the chapel after the service on Nov. 8th.
Piece Be with You! Please join us between services at 9:00am on November 22nd for a festive, all-parish brunch celebrating the ingathering of our prayers, hopes, and financial pledges for our parish life in the coming year. We will enjoy fellowship, delicious pies, quiches and other offerings. Please sign up to bring your favorite pie or quiche. Pre-cut pies with labeled pie servers would be much appreciated. Thank you!